\Etch"ing\, n.
1. The act, art, or practice of engraving by means of acid
which eats away lines or surfaces left unprotected in
metal, glass, or the like. See {Etch}, v. t.
2. A design carried out by means of the above process; a
pattern on metal, glass, etc., produced by etching.
3. An impression on paper, parchment, or other material,
taken in ink from an etched plate.
{Etching figures} (Min.), markings produced on the face of a
crystal by the action of an appropriate solvent. They have
usually a definite form, and are important as revealing
the molecular structure.
{Etching needle}, a sharp-pointed steel instrument with which
lines are drawn in the ground or varnish in etching.
{Etching stitch} (Needlework), a stitch used outline
embroidery.